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Barney Frank - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Massachusetts from 1981 to present. Admitted to having paid Stephen L. Gobie, a male prostitute, for sex and subsequently hiring Gobie as his personal assistant. Gobie used the congressman's Washington apartment for prostitution. A move to expel Frank from the House of Representatives failed and a motion to censure him failed.

DNC - The Federal Election Commission imposed $719,000 in fines against participants in the 1996 Democratic Party fundraising scandals involving contributions from China, Korea and other foreign sources. The Federal Election Commission said it decided to drop cases against contributors of more than $3 million in illegal DNC contributions because the respondents left the country or the corporations are defunct.

Sandy Berger - Democrat - National Security Advisor during the Clinton Administration. Berger became the focus of a criminal investigation after removing highly classified terrorism documents and handwritten notes from the National Archives during preparations for the Sept. 11 commission hearings.

Robert Torricelli - Democrat - Withdrew from the 2002 Senate race with less than 30 days before the election because of controversy over personal gifts he took from a major campaign donor and questions about campaign donations from 1996.

James McGreevey - Democrat - New Jersey Governor . Admitted to having a gay affair. Resigned after allegations of sexual harassment, rumors of being blackmailed on top of fundraising investigations and indictments.

Jesse Jackson - Democrat - Democratic candidate for President. Admitted to having an extramarital affair and fathering a illegitimate child.

Gary Condit - Democrat - US Democratic Congressman from California. Condit had an affair with an intern. Condit, covered up the affair and lied to police after she went missing. No charges were ever filed against Condit. Her remains were discovered in a Washington DC park..

Sowande Ajumoke Omokunde - Democrat - the son of newly elected U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, was booked on charges of criminal damage to property for allegedly slashing tires on 20 vans and cars rented by the Republican Party for use in Election Day voter turnout efforts.

Daniel David Rostenkowski - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1959 to 1995. Indicted on 17 felony charges- pleaded guilty to two counts of misuse of public funds and sentenced to seventeen months in federal prison.

Melvin Jay Reynolds - U.S. Representative from Illinois from 1993 to 1995. Convicted on sexual misconduct and obstruction of justice charges and sentenced to five years in prison.

Charles Coles Diggs, Jr. - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Michigan from 1955 to 1980. Convicted on eleven counts of mail fraud and filing false payroll forms- sentenced to three years in prison.

George Rogers - Democrat - Massachusetts State House of Representatives from 1965 to 1970. M000ember of Massachusetts State Senate from 1975 to 1978. Convicted of bribery in 1978 and sentenced to two years in prison.

Don Siegelman - Democrat Governor Alabama - indicted in a bid-rigging scheme involving a maternity-care program. The charges accused Siegelman and his former chief of staff of helping Tuscaloosa physician Phillip Bobo rig bids. Siegelman was accused of moving $550,000 from the state education budget to the State Fire College in Tuscaloosa so Bobo could use the money to pay off a competitor for a state contract for maternity care.

John Murtha, Jr. - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania. Implicated in the Abscam sting, in which FBI agents impersonating Arab businessmen offered bribes to political figures; Murtha was cited as an unindicted co-conspirator

Gerry Eastman Studds - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Massachusetts from 1973 to 1997. The first openly gay member of Congress. Censured by the House of Representatives for having sexual relations with a teenage House page.

James C. Green - Democrat - North Carolina State House of Representatives from 1961 to 1977. Charged with accepting a bribe from an undercover FBI agent, but was acquitted. Convicted of tax evasion in 1997.

Frederick Richmond - Democrat - U.S. Representative from New York from 1975 to 1982. Arrested in Washington, D.C., in 1978 for soliciting sex from a minor and from an undercover police officer - pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. Also - charged with tax evasion, marijuana possession, and improper payments to a federal employee - pleaded guilty.

Raymond Lederer - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania from 1977 to 1981. Implicated in the Abscam sting - convicted of bribery and sentenced to three years in prison and fined $20,000.

Harrison Arlington Williams, Jr. - Democrat - U.S. Senator from New Jersey from 1959 to 1970. Implicated in the Abscam sting. Allegedly accepted an 18% interest in a titanium mine. Convicted of nine counts of bribery, conspiracy, receiving an unlawful gratuity, conflict of interest, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. Sentenced to three years in prison and fined $50,000.

Frank Thompson, Jr. - Democrat - U.S. Representative from New Jersey from 1955 to 1980. Implicated in the Abscam sting, convicted on bribery and conspiracy charges. Sentenced to three years in prison

Michael Joseph Myers - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania from 1976 to 1980. Implicated in the Abscam sting - convicted of bribery and conspiracy; sentenced to three years in prison and fined $20,000; expelled from the House of Representatives on October 2, 1980.

John Michael Murphy - Democrat - U.S. Representative from New York from 1963 to 1981. Implicated in the Abscam sting. Convicted of conspiracy, conflict of interest, and accepting an illegal gratuity. Sentenced to three years in prison and fined $20,000.

John Wilson Jenrette, Jr - Democrat - U.S. Representative from South Carolina from 1975 to 1980. Implicated in the Abscam sting. Convicted on bribery and conspiracy charges and sentenced to prison

Neil Goldschmidt - Democrat - Oregon governor. Admitted to having an illegal sexual relationship with a 14-year-old teenager while he was serving as Mayor of Portland.

Alcee Lamar Hastings - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Florida. Impeached and removed from office as federal judge in 1989 over bribery charges.

Marion Barry - Democrat - mayor of Washington, D.C., from 1979 to 1991 and again from 1995 to 1999. Convicted of cocaine possession after being caught on videotape smoking crack cocaine. Sentenced to six months in prison.

Mario Biaggi - Democrat - U.S. Representative from New York from 1969 to 1988. Indicted on federal charges that he had accepted bribes in return for influence on federal contracts.Convicted of obstructing justice and accepting illegal gratuities. Tried in 1988 on federal racketeering charges and convicted on 15 felony counts.

Lee Alexander - Democrat - Mayor of Syracuse, N.Y. from 1970 to 1985. Was indicted over a $1.5 million kickback scandal. Pleaded guilty to racketeering and tax evasion charges. Served six years in prison.

Frank Ballance - Democrat - Congressman North Carolina. Pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering related to mishandling of money by his charitable foundation.

Hazel O'Leary - Democrat - Secretary of Energy during the Clinton Administration - O'leary took trips all over the world as Secretary with as many 50 staff members and at times rented a plane, which was used by Madonna during her concert tours.

Lafayette Thomas - Democrat - Candidate for Tennessee State House of Representatives in 1954. Sheriff of Davidson County, from 1972 to 1990. Indicted in federal court on 54 counts of abusing his power as sheriff. Pleaded guilty to theft and mail fraud; sentenced to five years in prison.

Mary Rose Oakar - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1977 to 1993. Pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of funneling $16,000 through fake donors.

David Giles - Democrat - candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington in 1986 and 1990. Convicted in June 2000 of child rape.

Gary Siplin - Democrat state senator Florida- found guilty of third-degree grand theft of $5,000 or more, a felony, and using services of employees for his candidacy.

Lena Swanson - Democrat - Member of Washington State Senate in 1997. Pleaded guilty to charges of soliciting unlawful payments from veterans and former prisoners of war.

Abraham J. Hirschfeld - Democrat - candidate in Democratic primary for U.S. Senator from New York in 1974 and 1976. Offered Paula Jones $1 million to drop her sexual harassment lawsuit against President Bill Clinton. Convicted in 2000 of trying to hire a hit man to kill his business partner.

Henry Cisneros - Democrat - U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1993 to 1997. Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of lying to the FBI.

James A. Traficant Jr. - Member of House of Representatives from Ohio. Expelled from Congress after being convicted of corruption charges. Sentenced today to eight years in prison for accepting bribes and kickbacks.

John Doug Hays - Democrat - member of Kentucky State Senate from 1980 to 1982 Found guilty of mail fraud for submitting false campaign reports stemming from an unsuccessful run for judge. He was sentenced to six months in prison to be followed by six months of home confinement and three years of probation.

Henry J. Cianfrani - Democrat - Pennsylvania State Senate from 1967 to 1976. Convicted on federal charges of racketeering and mail fraud for padding his Senate payroll. Sentenced to five years in federal prison.

David Hall - Democrat - Governor of Oklahoma from 1971 to 1975. Indicted on extortion and conspiracy charges. Convicted and sentenced to three years in prison.

John A. Celona - Democrat - A former state senator was charged with the three counts of mail fraud. Federal prosecutors accused him of defrauding the state and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars from CVS Corp. and others while serving in the legislature. Celona has agreed to plead guilty to taking money from the CVS pharmacy chain and other companies that had interest in legislation. Under the deal, Celona agreed to cooperate with investigators. He faces up to five years in federal prison on each of the three counts and a $250,000 fine

Allan Turner Howe - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Utah from 1975 to 1977. Arrested for soliciting a policewoman posing as a prostitute.

Joseph Waggonner Jr. - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Louisiana from 1961 to 19 79. Arrested in Washington, D.C. for soliciting a policewoman posing as a prostitute

Albert G. Bustamante - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Texas from 1985 to 1993. Convicted in 1993 on racketeering and bribery charges and sentenced to prison.

Lawrence Jack Smith - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Florida from 1983 to 1993. Sentenced to three months in federal prison for tax evasion.

David Lee Walters - Democrat - Governor of Oklahoma from 1991 to 1995. Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor election law violation.

James Guy Tucker, Jr. - Democrat - Governor of Arkansas from 1992 to 1996. Resigned in July 1996 after conviction on federal fraud charges as part of the Whitewater investigation.

Walter Rayford Tucker - Democrat - Mayor of Compton, California from 1991 to 1992; U.S. Representative from California from 1993 to 1995. Sentenced to 27 months in prison for extortion and tax evasion.

William McCuen - Democrat - Secretary of State of Arkansas from 1985 to 1995. Admitted accepting kickbacks from two supporters he gave jobs, and not paying taxes on the money. Admitted to conspiring with a political consultant to split $53,560 embezzled from the state in a sham transaction. He was indicted on corruption charges. Pleaded guilty to felony counts tax evasion and accepting a kickback. Sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Walter Fauntroy - Democrat - Delegate to U.S. Congress from the District of Columbia from 1971 to 1991. Charged in federal court with making false statements on financial disclosure forms. Pleaded guilty to one felony count and sentenced to probation.

Carroll Hubbard, Jr. - Democrat - Kentucky State Senate from 1968 to 1975 and U.S. Representative from Kentucky from 1975 to 1993. Pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the Federal Elections Commission and to theft of government property; sentenced to three years in prison.

Joseph Kolter - Democrat - member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from 1969 to 1982 and U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania from 1983 to 1993. Indicted by a Federal grand jury on five felony charges of embezzlement at the U.S. House post office. Pleaded guilty.

Nicholas Mavroules - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Massachusetts from 1979 to 1993. Pleaded guilty to charges of tax fraud and accepting gratuities while in office.

Carl Christopher Perkins - Democrat - Kentucky State House of Representatives from 1981 to 1984 and U.S. Representative from Kentucky from 1985 to 1993. Pleaded guilty to bank fraud in connection with the House banking scandal. Perkins wrote overdrafts totaling about $300,000. Pleaded guilty to charges of filing false statements with the Federal Election Commission and false financial disclosure reports. Sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Richard Hanna - Democrat - U.S. Representative from California from 1963 to 1974. Received payments of about $200,000 from a Korean businessman in what became known as the "Koreagate" influence buying scandal. Pleaded guilty and sentenced to federal prison.

Angelo Errichetti - Democrat - New Jersey State Senator was sentenced to six years in prison and fined $40,000 for his involvement in Abscam.

Daniel Baugh Brewster - Democrat - U.S. Senator from Maryland. Indicted on charges of accepting illegal gratuity while in Senate.

Thomas Joseph Dodd - Democrat - U.S. Senator from Connecticut. Censured by the Senate for financial improprieties, having diverted $116,000 in campaign and testimonial funds to his own use

Edward Fretwell Prichard, Jr. - Democrat - Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Kentucky. Convicted of vote fraud in federal court in connection with ballot-box stuffing. Served five months in prison.

Jerry Springer - Democrat - Resigned from Cincinnati City Council in 1974 after admitting to paying a prostitute with a personal check, which was found in a police raid on a massage parlor.

Daniel Flood - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania from 1945 to 1947, 1949 to 1953 and 1955 to 1980. Pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge involving payoffs and sentenced to probation.

Otto Kerner, Jr - Democrat - Governor of Illinois from 1961 to 1968. While serving as Governor, he and another official made a gain of over $300,000 in a stock deal. Convicted on 17 counts of bribery, conspiracy, perjury, and related charges. Sentenced to three years in federal prison and fined $50,000. George Crockett, Jr. - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Michigan. Served four months in federal prison for contempt of court following his defense of a Communist leader on trial for advocating the overthrow of the government.

Cornelius Edward Gallagher - Democrat - U.S. Representative from New Jersey from 1959 to 1973. Indicted on federal charges of income tax evasion, conspiracy, and perjury

Mark B. Jimenez - Democrat fundraiser - sentenced to 27 months in prison on charges of tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the United States and commit election financing offenses.

Bobby Lee Rush - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Illinois. As a Black Panther, spent six months in prison on a weapons charge.

Bolley ''Bo'' Johnson - Democrat - Former Florida House Speaker - received a two-year term for tax evasion.

Roger L. Green - Democrat - Brooklyn Democrat Assemblyman. Pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for accepting travel reimbursement for trips he did not pay for and was sentenced to fines and probation.

And the point of this thread is.......................................??

I, for one, would never think that illegal and/or illicit activity is the realm of any particular political party... rather it belong to politicians as a group. Doing the "right" thing is not on anyone's agenda -- rather all of their agenda's revolve around getting re-elected and consolidating power. Now, sometimes the "right" thing lines up perfectly with their desire to remain in power, so it can appear that there are "good" politicians, but the US system guarantees that if any were to get into power, they would be unable to remain there.

And the point of this thread is.......................................??

I, for one, would never think that illegal and/or illicit activity is the realm of any particular political party... rather it belong to politicians as a group. Doing the "right" thing is not on anyone's agenda -- rather all of their agenda's revolve around getting re-elected and consolidating power. Now, sometimes the "right" thing lines up perfectly with their desire to remain in power, so it can appear that there are "good" politicians, but the US system guarantees that if any were to get into power, they would be unable to remain there.

Charles Coles Diggs, Jr. - Democrat - U.S. Representative from Michigan from 1955 to 1980. Convicted on eleven counts of mail fraud and filing false payroll forms- sentenced to three years in prison.

Well shit Roddles. Thanks for that startling bit of up to date news. Americans be sure you don't vote for Charles Coles Diggs Jr.

MtD

Oh Matty, I don't see that this thread has anything to with voting and it wasn't stated as such. It represents that there is not any Political Party that is scandalous free. Besides Matty my dear, convicted felons can't hold office in the US.

I wish we could revive the ancient Roman practice, in which every year citizens could write down the name of an elected official that they wanted OUT of office, and the 'winner' would be kicked out of the legislature! That's what we need, along with a breaking down of the 2-party dominate system here in US. Pursuant to that, I guess the party politics would still come into play, as dems would vote out the most powerful Rep, and vice versa.....so, party politics = YUCK!

Logged

7 weeks post exposure, tested HIV Negative.

Be Kind To Everyone You Meet, For You Do Not Know What Battles They Have Fought That Day.

I must say that's a pretty long list. Where would we be if there had been media coverage on all the old events like there is now? Very interesting.

And Tester, I like your suggestion of that Roman practice, but if we also have to lay on a couch to eat, go vomit so we can eat some more, and then rape the servers to top off the evening, well, I'm not so sure...

The American political system is inherently flawed. With only two political parties excessive time and energy is spent opposing the other party's platform, whether it make sense to do so or not. The goal is not to improve government and the lives of citizens but to win popularity and stay in power.

The American political system is inherently flawed. With only two political parties excessive time and energy is spent opposing the other party's platform, whether it make sense to do so or not. The goal is not to improve government and the lives of citizens but to win popularity and stay in power.

I couldn't agree more. While I align primarily with the Democratic party, we really would be better served with a parliamentary form of government where we had to form alliances and coalitions between multiple parties to get a working majority.

The notion that all Americans can be served by two parties is laughable.

I think GSOgymrat was, possibly, hinting around with the very nature of our electoral campaigns that go on and on. I'd be happy adapting some features from the French that limit the length of campaigns, and also certain rules on campaign advertising during the few days right before the actual election date. I forget all the details of what they do but IIRC it's rather sensible. I'm sure other European systems do similar things.

Changing to a parliamentary system would never happen in the US unless there's a mass bloody revolution, so it's rather a stretch to even discuss it as a practical matter.

I couldn't agree more. While I align primarily with the Democratic party, we really would be better served with a parliamentary form of government where we had to form alliances and coalitions between multiple parties to get a working majority.

The notion that all Americans can be served by two parties is laughable.

Agreed. And I think that television was, in some ways, one of the worst things to happen to politics. Though, oddly enough, I think the internet may eventually prove beneficial.

Changing to a parliamentary system would never happen in the US unless there's a mass bloody revolution, so it's rather a stretch to even discuss it as a practical matter.

My personal belief when it comes to changing things that have clearly become a detriment in our society or system of government, we shouldn't discard any discussion of possibilities or alternatives out of hand.

I do agree that it probably won't happen, but it does underscore that this two party system has an Achilles heel that needs addressing. Discussing various other systems is a great point for launching positive change.

Agreed. And I think that television was, in some ways, one of the worst things to happen to politics. Though, oddly enough, I think the internet may eventually prove beneficial.

Another statement that I agree with completely.

One of the problems with television (and radio and periodicals) and in particular loosening the rules on media consolidation has led us down a path where a mere handful of big conglomerates own the vast majority of our information sources and have essential control of the message and/or slant of that groups media holdings.

That doesn't even take into account the amount of dollars a candidate must raise to have a thirty second slot on a major network which also causes a problem. Or the usual political sniping of "Paid for by Concerned Citizens for Responsible Health Care Reform" which more often than not turns out to be a lobbying group totally funded by industry.

The internet does tend to get around that to a large extent because important stories that might actually lead to a well-informed public get buried or glossed over because "BREAKING NEWS! Paris Hilton had a loose bowel movement today. MSNBCNNFOXCBSABC will continue to bring you live coverage from the scene of this breaking story as it unfolds!".

It's gotten so bad, I blocked all the major news channels from my TV. My television is not a source of current events for me. It is for entertainment only (and the occasional science related documentary) and I can just as easily get any important information much more easily online in much greater detail and to a large extent, I can verify the source of that information.

Agreed. And I think that television was, in some ways, one of the worst things to happen to politics. Though, oddly enough, I think the internet may eventually prove beneficial.

Just finished up the book "Assault on Reason" by Al Gore. This one isn't about global warming at all but about how reasoning/debate has been taken out of our political system. We're at a point where whoever has the most money gets to put their message across the TV - with no discussion or debate. Al thinks that the internet will eventually level the playing field. If you like politics, I recommend the book.

Just finished up the book "Assault on Reason" by Al Gore. This one isn't about global warming at all but about how reasoning/debate has been taken out of our political system. We're at a point where whoever has the most money gets to put their message across the TV - with no discussion or debate. Al thinks that the internet will eventually level the playing field. If you like politics, I recommend the book.

Ah, well...sounds like I arrived at the same line of thinking. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll look into it.

Changing to a parliamentary system would never happen in the US unless there's a mass bloody revolution, so it's rather a stretch to even discuss it as a practical matter.

I agree with libvet about this. Good to discuss other alternatives. While I suspect it is unlikely to happen, I can't help but notice that the group that screams the most about how any other system "couldn't possibly work" in the U.S. is usually the same group that insists no form of nation healthcare could possibly work here.

I can always tell where people get their news (or lack of) from the comments they post. It is not hard to spot someone parroting a popular pundit. I've given up on mainstream corporate media and the insufferable gaggle of talking heads. I tried to watch Meet the Press this morning until Mary Maitlin made me gag.

I agree with libvet about this. Good to discuss other alternatives. While I suspect it is unlikely to happen, I can't help but notice that the group that screams the most about how any other system "couldn't possibly work" in the U.S. is usually the same group that insists no form of nation healthcare could possibly work here.

Seems like an odd equivalency to make to me. One is a government program that need not change the entire system of governance. The other is one that would only happen by writing an entirely new Constitution, which under our current Constitution would need the approval of "x" amount of states.

Seems like an odd equivalency to make to me. One is a government program that need not change the entire system of governance. The other is one that would only happen by writing an entirely new Constitution, which under our current Constitution would need the approval of "x" amount of states.

It's about choosing one's battles carefully.

i was mostly speaking of people not feeling locked into having only two parties to vote from- not so much a complete overhaul of the govt.

Well, truth to tell, her husband is kinda vile also. Carville is one of those DLC-type democrats that's partly responsible for dragging the party so far to the right that we now have two right wing parties.

Seems like an odd equivalency to make to me. One is a government program that need not change the entire system of governance. The other is one that would only happen by writing an entirely new Constitution, which under our current Constitution would need the approval of "x" amount of states.

It's about choosing one's battles carefully.

I'm not entirely sure anyone was suggesting we start the campaign to change to a parliamentary, just pointing out that such a system seems to be more inclusive of the diversity of political opinions than our two party system which basically shuts out a good section of the population.

Well, truth to tell, her husband is kinda vile also. Carville is one of those DLC-type democrats that's partly responsible for dragging the party so far to the right that we now have two right wing parties.

A high [right-wing authoritarian] can have all sorts of illogical, self-contradictory and widely refuted ideas rattling around in various boxes in his brain, and never notice it. . . .

Research reveals that authoritarian followers drive through life under the influence of impaired thinking a lot more than most people do, exhibiting sloppy reasoning, highly compartmentalized beliefs, double standards, hypocrisy, self-blindness, a profound ethnocentrism, and -- to top it all off -- a ferocious dogmatism that makes it unlikely anyone could ever change their minds with evidence or logic.

Hal, as I was told in Philly's thread don't hijack the thread. Now if you want to discuss Edward's "Manditory Universal Health Care" that's something to discuss. Which probably just lost him his votes by using one word, "Manditory."

Quote

"If you are going to be in the system, you can't choose not to go to the doctor for 20 years. You have to go in and be checked and make sure that you are OK."

Quote

his universal health care proposal would require that Americans go to the doctor for preventive care.

Quote

"He noted, for example, that women would be required to have regular mammograms in an effort to find and treat "the first trace of problem."

Oh yeah right Rod, I'm the hijacker. As Altemeyer acknowledges, everyone of every type is prone to contradictory and self-interested reasoning. But, as his research demonstrates, those whose primary allegiance is to authority figures and whose identity is centrally grounded in their authority-based political movement have, as their overarching goal, a defense of their movement and attacks on the enemy.

But for all her gay support, what has Clinton really done for gay rights? Not much, some gay activists say, but neither has Obama or Edwards.

At the end of the day, I'd trust Hillary, Obama, and Edwards to deal with gay people much more fairly than ANY of the republican candidates.

I seem to recall LOGO having a Q&A session with ALL presidential candidates invited and unsurprisingly, while Obama, Edwards, Clinton, Richardson, Kucinich, and Gravel showed up from the Democratic side, NOT ONE REPUBLICAN showed up.

Can gay people really trust a party that is so terrified of and/or dismissive of the GLBT population that they are afraid to be seen on a forum addressing issues that are important to the GLBT community?

Your mileage may vary, but from where I stand, the republicans have proven time and time again they are hostile toward the gay community in general with few exceptions.

Can gay people really trust a party that is so terrified of and/or dismissive of the GLBT population that they are afraid to be seen on a forum addressing issues that are important to the GLBT community?

TRENTON, N.J. ó Eleven public officials from across New Jersey, including a mayor and two state lawmakers, were arrested Thursday in a federal corruption probe, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Democratic state Assemblymen Mims Hackett Jr. and Alfred E. Steele were among those arrested, along with Passaic Mayor Samuel Rivera, a law enforcement official said.

The chief of staff to Newark's City Council president was also arrested, the official said, along with Passaic Councilmen Jonathan Soto and Marcellus Jackson and five Pleasantville school board members.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to upstage a formal announcement, said the arrests were related to insurance contracts for local governments.